Brenda Gael Smith

About my artwork

I create textile paintings and sketches made from a rich palette of my hand-dyed fabrics complemented by extensive, textural stitching demonstrating the transformative power of stitch. Abstraction is a persistent and insistent force. Working improvisationally, I capture the essence of my subjects to impart a sense of wonder of the natural world and a strong affinity to place.

Daily walks are a creative habit integral to my studio practice whether I am home or travelling. By closely observing my surroundings, and taking hundreds of photos, I have a bountiful inspiration bank that informs my work. I also embrace the serendipity factor. From the dye pot, to the design wall, to the sewing machine, I am always open to the possibility of a glorious accident.

Two of my large textile paintings, Acuity #5: Zemblanity and Integrifolia #7: Emergence, are on exhibition and for sale in The New Quilt 2021 at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor, NSW from 5 February to 11 April 2021.

Learn with Brenda!

Join Brenda for 3-hour live, interactive workshops optimised for the Zoom platform. These classes are standalone or you can pick and choose your own series.

Strip Ease: 1-4pm Sunday 7 March
Strip Ease: 7-10pm Sunday 7 March NEW!
Strip Ease: 6-9am Thursday 11 March
FUNdamentally Circles: 5-8am Thursday 8 April
FUNdamentally Circles: 5-8pm Thursday 8 April NEW!
FUNdamentally Circles: 9am-12noon Saturday 10 April
Line Dancing: 9am-12noon Saturday 5 June
Line Dancing: 5-8am Thursday 10 June
Line Dancing: 5-8pm Thursday 10 June NEW!
The X Factor: 9am-12noon Saturday 3 July
The X Factor: 5-8pm Saturday 3 July
The X Factor: 5-8am Thursday 8 July NEW!

In addition, I offer the following advanced classes:

Abstraction in Action: (A$100 March/April dates) is a four module (10 hour) workshop for students looking to stretch their creative muscles and to explore abstraction both in concept and practice. Learn more.
Beyond Fundamentally Circles (A$35): for graduates of the Fundamentally Circles workshop, exploring semi-circles and other curvilinear shapes. 1-4pm Saturday 1 May (AEST) or 5am-8am Thursday 6 May (AEST)

Booking form: Learn with Brenda!